Intendants

Intendants were government officials in France, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries, responsible for administering local regions on behalf of the monarch. They ensured royal policies were implemented, collected taxes, maintained law and order, and reported back to the central government. Intendants acted as the king’s representatives in districts, overseeing justice, finance, and military recruitment. Their role was central to strengthening royal control over France’s diverse provinces, reducing the power of local nobility and consolidating centralized authority.